Esther 2:14
New International Version
In the evening she would go there and in the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name.

New Living Translation
That evening she was taken to the king’s private rooms, and the next morning she was brought to the second harem, where the king’s wives lived. There she would be under the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of the concubines. She would never go to the king again unless he had especially enjoyed her and requested her by name.

English Standard Version
In the evening she would go in, and in the morning she would return to the second harem in custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who was in charge of the concubines. She would not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.

Berean Standard Bible
She would go there in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second harem under the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he delighted in her and summoned her by name.

King James Bible
In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.

New King James Version
In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who kept the concubines. She would not go in to the king again unless the king delighted in her and called for her by name.

New American Standard Bible
In the evening she would enter and in the morning she would return to the second harem, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.

NASB 1995
In the evening she would go in and in the morning she would return to the second harem, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not again go in to the king unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.

NASB 1977
In the evening she would go in and in the morning she would return to the second harem, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not again go in to the king unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.

Legacy Standard Bible
In the evening she would go in, and in the morning she would return to the second harem, to the hand of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who kept charge of the concubines. She would not again go in to the king unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.

Amplified Bible
In the evening she would go in and the next morning she would return to the second harem, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he delighted in her and she was summoned by name.

Christian Standard Bible
She would go in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second harem under the supervision of the king’s eunuch Shaashgaz, keeper of the concubines. She never went to the king again, unless he desired her and summoned her by name.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
She would go in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second harem under the supervision of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of the concubines. She never went to the king again, unless he desired her and summoned her by name.

American Standard Version
In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, who kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.

Contemporary English Version
In the evening she would go to the king, and the following morning she would go to the place where his wives stayed after being with him. There a man named Shaashgaz was in charge of the king's wives. Only the ones the king wanted and asked for by name could go back to the king.

English Revised Version
In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
She would go in the evening and come back in the morning to the other quarters for women. There she would be in the care of the king's eunuch Shaashgaz, the guardian of the concubines. She never went to the king again unless the king desired her and requested her by name.

Good News Translation
She would go there in the evening, and the next morning she would be taken to another harem and put in the care of Shaashgaz, the eunuch in charge of the king's concubines. She would not go to the king again unless he liked her enough to ask for her by name.

International Standard Version
In the evening she would go into the palace and in the morning she would return to the second harem, into the care of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the mistresses. She would not go again to the king unless the king wanted her and she was called for by name.

Majority Standard Bible
She would go there in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second harem under the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he delighted in her and summoned her by name.

NET Bible
In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to a separate part of the harem, to the authority of Shaashgaz the king's eunuch who was overseeing the concubines. She would not go back to the king unless the king was pleased with her and she was requested by name.

New Heart English Bible
In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second women's house, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch, who kept the secondary wives. She came in to the king no more, unless the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.

Webster's Bible Translation
In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, who kept the concubines: she came in to the king no more, except that the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.

World English Bible
In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second women’s house, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who kept the concubines. She came in to the king no more, unless the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
in the evening she has gone in, and in the morning she has turned back to the second house of the women, to the hand of Shaashgaz eunuch of the king, keeper of the concubines; she does not come in anymore to the king except the king has delighted in her, and she has been called by name.

Young's Literal Translation
in the evening she hath gone in, and in the morning she hath turned back unto the second house of the women, unto the hand of Shaashgaz eunuch of the king, keeper of the concubines; she cometh not in any more unto the king except the king hath delighted in her, and she hath been called by name.

Smith's Literal Translation
In the evening she came, and in the morning she turned back to the second house of the women, to the hand of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch watching the concubines: she will no more come to the king except the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And she that went in at evening, came out in the morning, and from thence she was conducted to the second house, that was under the hand of Susagaz the eunuch, who had the charge over the king's concubines: neither could she re- turn any more to the king, unless the king desired it, and had ordered her by name to come.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And whoever entered at evening, departed in the morning, and then from there she was led to the second house, which was under the hand of Shaashgaz the eunuch, who presided over the king’s concubines. Nor did she have the power to return again to the king, unless the king desired it and had summoned her by name.

New American Bible
She would go in the evening and return in the morning to a second harem under the care of the royal eunuch Shaashgaz, guardian of the concubines. She could not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and had her summoned by name.

New Revised Standard Version
In the evening she went in; then in the morning she came back to the second harem in custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who was in charge of the concubines; she did not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
In the evening she went in, and in the morning she returned to the house of the women to the custody of Shangashgeshir the king's eunuch, the keeper of the concubines; she did not come in to the king unless the king delighted in her and she was called by name.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In the evening she entered and at dawn she returned to the house of women at the side of Shangashir, the Eunuch of the King, the Keeper of the concubines, and she did not approach before the King again unless the King asked for her and he called her by her name.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, who kept the concubines; she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
She enters in the evening, and in the morning she departs to the second women's apartment, where Gai the king's chamberlain is keeper of the women: and she goes not in to the king again, unless she should be called by name.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Esther Finds Favor
13When the young woman would go to the king, she was given whatever she requested to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. 14She would go there in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second harem under the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he delighted in her and summoned her by name. 15Now Esther was the daughter of Abihail, the uncle from whom Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter. And when it was her turn to go to the king, she did not ask for anything except what Hegai, the king’s trusted official in charge of the harem, had advised. And Esther found favor in the eyes of everyone who saw her.…

Cross References
Esther 1:12
Queen Vashti, however, refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs. And the king became furious, and his anger burned within him.

Esther 4:11
“All the royal officials and the people of the king’s provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned—that he be put to death. Only if the king extends the gold scepter may that person live. But I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the past thirty days.”

Esther 5:1-2
On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance. / As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

Esther 7:8
Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Would he actually assault the queen while I am in the palace?” As soon as the words had left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

Esther 8:1
That same day King Xerxes awarded Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai entered the king’s presence because Esther had revealed his relation to her.

Esther 9:12
who said to Queen Esther, “In the citadel of Susa the Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men, including Haman’s ten sons. What have they done in the rest of the royal provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be given to you. And what further do you request? It will be fulfilled.”

1 Kings 2:13-25
Now Adonijah son of Haggith went to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, and she asked, “Do you come in peace?” “Yes, in peace,” he replied. / Then he said, “I have something to tell you.” “Say it,” she answered. / “You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD. ...

1 Kings 1:11-31
Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it? / Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. / Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ ...

Daniel 1:9
Now God had granted Daniel favor and compassion from the chief official,

Daniel 2:16
So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him some time, so that he could give him the interpretation.

Nehemiah 2:4-5
“What is your request?” replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven / and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city where my fathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it.”

Genesis 41:14
So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, who was quickly brought out of the dungeon. After he had shaved and changed his clothes, he went in before Pharaoh.

Genesis 39:20-23
So Joseph’s master took him and had him thrown into the prison where the king’s prisoners were confined. While Joseph was there in the prison, / the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. / And the warden put all the prisoners under Joseph’s care, so that he was responsible for all that was done in the prison. ...

1 Samuel 25:23-31
When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey, fell facedown, and bowed before him. / She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant. / My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent. ...

2 Samuel 11:2-4
One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. / So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” / Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home.


Treasury of Scripture

In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in to the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.

delighted.

Esther 4:11
All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

Genesis 34:19
And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father.

Deuteronomy 21:14
And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.

she were called.

Isaiah 43:1
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Isaiah 45:4
For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

Jump to Previous
Chamberlain Concubines Custody Delighted Eunuch Evening Except House Kept King's Morning Morrow Second Unless Women Women's
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Chamberlain Concubines Custody Delighted Eunuch Evening Except House Kept King's Morning Morrow Second Unless Women Women's
Esther 2
1. Out of the choice of virgins a queen is to be chosen.
5. Mordecai the nursing father of Esther.
8. Esther preferred before the rest.
12. The manner of purification, and going in to the king.
15. Esther, best pleasing the king, is made queen.
21. Mordecai, discovering a treason, is recorded in the chronicles.














In the evening
This phrase sets the scene for the events that unfold in the narrative. The evening was a time of transition, often associated with rest and reflection in ancient cultures. In the context of Esther, the evening signifies a moment of change and potential new beginnings. The Hebrew word for evening, "ereb," can also imply a mingling or mixing, which is fitting as Esther's life is about to intermingle with the king's court in a significant way.

she would go in
This phrase indicates the action Esther would take, entering into the presence of King Xerxes. The Hebrew verb "bo" is used here, which means to come or go. It suggests a deliberate and purposeful movement, highlighting Esther's courage and the gravity of the situation. Her entry into the king's presence was not just a physical act but a pivotal moment in her life and the history of her people.

and in the morning
The morning represents a new day, a fresh start, and the unfolding of God's plans. In the Hebrew context, "boker" signifies the breaking of dawn, a time when darkness gives way to light. This transition from evening to morning symbolizes hope and the potential for divine intervention, as Esther's fate and the fate of her people hang in the balance.

she would return
The act of returning implies a cycle or routine, yet for Esther, it was a return to uncertainty. The Hebrew word "shuv" means to turn back or return, often used in the context of repentance or restoration. Esther's return signifies the completion of one phase and the anticipation of what is to come, underscoring the theme of waiting on God's timing.

to a second harem
The mention of a second harem highlights the structured and hierarchical nature of the Persian court. The Hebrew term "beit hanashim" refers to the house of women, indicating a place set apart for those who had been with the king. This separation underscores the exclusivity and control within the royal system, yet it also sets the stage for Esther's unique rise to prominence.

under the supervision of Shaashgaz
Shaashgaz, a name of Persian origin, was the eunuch in charge of the second harem. His role was one of authority and oversight, ensuring the king's interests were maintained. The presence of such figures in the narrative highlights the complex bureaucracy of the Persian empire and the layers of influence that Esther had to navigate.

the king’s eunuch in charge of the concubines
This phrase emphasizes the eunuch's responsibility and the structured nature of the king's household. Eunuchs were often trusted officials in ancient courts, valued for their loyalty and ability to manage sensitive affairs. The mention of concubines reflects the king's wealth and power, yet it also underscores the vulnerability of women in such a system, making Esther's eventual rise all the more remarkable.

She would not return to the king
This statement underscores the finality and exclusivity of Esther's initial encounter with the king. The Hebrew construction implies a conditional return, dependent on the king's favor. It highlights the precariousness of Esther's position and the importance of divine favor in her journey.

unless he delighted in her
The king's delight was the determining factor for Esther's future. The Hebrew word "chaphets" conveys pleasure or desire, indicating that Esther's fate rested on the king's personal preference. This phrase underscores the theme of favor, both human and divine, as a critical element in the unfolding of God's plan.

and summoned her by name
Being summoned by name signifies recognition and personal attention. In the Hebrew context, a name carries deep significance, often reflecting one's character or destiny. For Esther, being called by name would mean she had found favor in the king's eyes, a pivotal moment that would ultimately lead to her role in God's deliverance of her people.

Verse 14. - On the morrow. Literally, "in the morning." The second house of the women. The gynaeceum comprised at least three distinct houses: -

1. A residence for the queen, corresponding to that which Solomon built for the daughter of Pharaoh (1 Kings 7:8);

2. A house for the secondary wives, or concubines; and,

3. A house for the virgins. On returning from her first visit to the king's chamber, a woman ordinarily became an inmate of the "second house." This "second house" was under the care of a eunuch called Sha'ashgaz.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
She
הִ֣יא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

would go [there]
בָאָ֗ה (ḇā·’āh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

in the evening,
בָּעֶ֣רֶב ׀ (bā·‘e·reḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153: Evening

and in the morning
וּ֠בַבֹּקֶר (ū·ḇab·bō·qer)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

she
הִ֣יא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

would return
שָׁבָ֞ה (šā·ḇāh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

a second
שֵׁנִ֔י (šê·nî)
Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number)

harem
בֵּ֤ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

under
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the care
יַ֧ד (yaḏ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of Shaashgaz,
שַֽׁעֲשְׁגַ֛ז (ša·‘ăš·ḡaz)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8190: Shaashgaz -- a person eunuch

the king’s
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

eunuch
סְרִ֥יס (sə·rîs)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5631: A eunuch, valet, a minister of state

in charge of
שֹׁמֵ֣ר (šō·mêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

the concubines.
הַפִּֽילַגְשִׁ֑ים (hap·pî·laḡ·šîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6370: A concubine, a paramour

She would not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

return
תָב֥וֹא (ṯā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the king
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

unless
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

delighted
חָפֵ֥ץ (ḥā·p̄êṣ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2654: To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire

in her
בָּ֛הּ (bāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 0: 0

and summoned her
וְנִקְרְאָ֥ה (wə·niq·rə·’āh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

by name.
בְשֵֽׁם׃ (ḇə·šêm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name


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OT History: Esther 2:14 In the evening she went and (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 2:13
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